Florida Tech's African American Read-In Celebrates Black History and Culture

Annual event features literature, art, music, and food to honor the Black experience in America.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The 11th annual African American Read-In at Florida Tech's Evans Library will take place on Friday, February 13th, with the theme 'Black History: Deeply Rooted, Still Standing and Ever-Growing.' The event promises an evening of cultural and educational celebration, featuring stories, poetry, and rhythms crafted by African American authors, poets, musicians, and artists, served up alongside a catered meal. The Read-In is open to all ages and backgrounds, and past gatherings have built bridges uniting demographic groups.

Why it matters

The African American Read-In is a vibrant and inspiring community event that honors and acknowledges local Black history, while also providing a platform for the expression of personal experiences through Black literature and the arts. The event aims to foster connection, reflection, and growth by sharing the voices and stories that have chronicled the Black experience throughout history.

The details

The Read-In will feature a range of artistic expressions from the African American experience, including literature, music, poetry, and dance. Organizers say the event will have a 'spoken word, coffeehouse vibe' as attendees read, recite, and sing works focused on empowerment and joy. In past years, the event has explored themes like Afro-Futurism and welcomed keynote speakers from places like Rosewood and the Moore Cultural Complex to share important local history.

  • The 11th annual African American Read-In will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

The players

Nancy Garmer

Associate librarian, assistant dean and User Experience librarian in Evans Library at Florida Tech, and one of the organizers of the African American Read-In.

Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop

Communication instructor at Florida Tech and one of the organizers of the African American Read-In.

Clarissa West-White

Keynote speaker from Bethune-Cookman University who introduced the audience to the core ideas of Afro-Futurism at a previous African American Read-In event.

Florida Tech's School of Arts and Communication

One of the sponsors of the African American Read-In event.

Florida Tech's Student Life department

Works with the university's student organizations, including the Black Student Union, to help organize the African American Read-In.

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What they’re saying

“Expression of personal experience shines brightly through Black literature and music, even today, especially today. Families attend the event together to share in the celebration of engaging with history and the arts and experiencing those emotions as a community. It is powerful to witness how people from different generations connect to the recognition and celebration of those who have broken barriers before us — paving the way for continued progress and growth.”

— Nancy Garmer, Associate librarian, assistant dean and User Experience librarian in Evans Library at Florida Tech (floridatoday.com)

“This year's theme essentially returns the event to its roots, evoking more of a spoken word, coffeehouse vibe as we read, recite, and sing works mostly focused on empowerment and joy. While guests might come in as strangers, we leave feeling connected. It really promotes that sense of just being together, appreciating another culture and what those other cultures have to offer.”

— Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop, Communication instructor at Florida Tech (floridatoday.com)

“I really applaud Florida Tech for understanding that education comes in many forms and from many places. We're opening doors to words, to thoughts that other people may not have even thought of. We're exposing people to things that they may not have learned before. And we're doing that in celebratory form, saying, 'This is American history, all of our history.' And I think that's something that's open to everyone.”

— Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop, Communication instructor at Florida Tech (floridatoday.com)

What’s next

The 11th annual African American Read-In at Florida Tech's Evans Library will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The takeaway

The African American Read-In at Florida Tech is a powerful celebration of Black history, culture, and artistic expression. By bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to share in literature, music, poetry, and more, the event fosters a sense of community, connection, and appreciation for the vital contributions of African Americans to the American experience.